Re: First Post! Annoying Debate at Work.

[Patrick W.Gilmore <patrick () ianai net>]

On Mar 1, 2004, at 9:02 AM, Christopher Aldridge wrote:

> From: Michael.Dillon () radianz com [mailto:Michael.Dillon () radianz com]
> Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 6:04 AM
> To: nanog () merit edu
> Subject: Re: First Post! Annoying Debate at Work.
>
> > Thanks for your EXCELLENT example of how technical certification
> > programs are no guarantee of fundamental technical understanding.
>
> > P.S. If you don't ask the right questions you will never get the right
> > answers.
>
> Thanks for the useful input!

Please do not take this the wrong way, but I thought it was useful 
input.  Perhaps not to you, but maybe to those who think that getting 
their MCSA will teach them all they need to know.

Some of the things you asked were extremely basic.  I've never taken 
any of the certifications you list, but I thought they would cover the 
basics - especially after 3 of them (from 3 different vendors, I 
think?)

All that said, if you don't at least start asking, you will never find 
out.  So I would not take this as an attack on you personally - lots of 
people answered took the time to answer your questions, asking not even 
a favor in return as payment.  I would take it as a note to people with 
certifications or going for certifications that a cert != clue.  It's 
probably a good place to start if you have no where else to turn, but 
just passing the test is not enough.  (Did any of those certs have 
labs, or just multiple-guess tests?)

--
TTFN,
patrick

P.S. I kinda expected as much from MS, but it's sad that a cisco cert 
doesn't mean much any more. :(